Before I came to Viterbi, I pictured an engineering student’s schedule as a simple, repeating loop: go to class, do homework, sleep, repeat. What I didn’t realize was how varied my days would actually be. To show you what I mean, let’s break down two very different days from my week.
My Tuesdays: The busy day!
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Systems Engineering Class: I start my day off with ISE 350: Principles and Practices of Systems Engineering. This is a 25-person class, and we learn about how to see the ‘big picture’ in any complex project. Instead of just focusing on one part, like the engine of a car, we learn how to manage the entire lifecycle—from the initial idea for the car all the way to how it will be serviced, making sure every single piece works together perfectly.
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Graduate Level Decision Analysis Class: Thanks to Viterbi’s Progressive Degree Program (PDP), which lets me start my Master’s degree while finishing my Bachelor’s, I get to take graduate-level classes like this one (ISE 562). Decision Analysis is the science of making the best possible choice when you’re faced with uncertainty. We use mathematical models to weigh the risks and rewards of major projects — like, should a company invest millions in a promising but unproven new technology? It’s important for my Master’s in Product Development, where making smart, data-driven decisions can make or break a product launch.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Lunch and rest!
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Trojan Marching Band: We learn the field shows and rehearse music for the home football games! Rehearsals are usually two hours long, but I leave Felix Field early to go to my next class!
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Product Development Class: This is another graduate-level class for my PDP (ISE 445)! Here, we’re focused on the entire lifecycle of a new product. We’re not just learning in theory; my team is actively developing a concept for a new sustainable product (still brainstorming!), analyzing the market, and creating a launch strategy.
- Rest of the day: Dinner, shower, homework, sleep!
My Wednesdays: The chill day!
Unlike my Tuesdays, where I have to follow a pretty set schedule every week, my Wednesdays are much more flexible. I usually wake up and start my day by making breakfast, doing some laundry, and maybe some cleaning! Around 11:30 AM, I head to the Lyon Center gym to get a workout in with my friend. After that, I go home, take a shower, eat, and get ready for the rest of my day. My first and only class isn’t until 5:30 PM, so I have a ton of free time that I fill with different things each week. This week, I went to the Culver City mall and did some shopping. Last week, I headed to Doheny Library to get some work done before class. Sometimes I go to the weekly Wednesday USC farmer’s market on campus to get some yummy pupusas. My class is a GE called Chinese Religions and Culture, and once I’m done at 7 pm, I head home, eat dinner, and study with my roommates!
The myth of the simple, repeating loop couldn’t be further from the truth. My life as a Viterbi student is a dynamic balance. Some days are a sprint, packed with back-to-back classes and marching band practice. Others are open and flexible, giving me the space to work out, explore campus, and dive into a subject completely outside of engineering. It’s this mix that makes the experience so rewarding!
